One of my more endearing motoring memories as a child was seeing an early Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet on the roads, and the car's clean-cut and classic lines have remained permanently stuck in my mind ever since. I've always wanted one of those, and could imagine driving it down to the beach for some fun in the sun.
The Golf Cabriolet soldiered on until 2002, until it was discontinued when the first of the hard-top coupe-convertibles started to emerge. Sun lovers let out a collective sigh of despair then, although Volkswagen's other drop-tops, like the Beetle Cabriolet and the Eos, managed to placate them in the Golf Cabriolet's absence.
Now though, Volkswagen has brought back its iconic soft top, ready to charm even more kids in the 21st century. But can it recapture the spark that made the Golf Cabriolet nameplate such an icon?
Exterior
Take a walk round the Golf Cabriolet, and you'll see that, although it bears the usual Volkswagen Golf styling cues, there are also significant differences (aside from the obvious lack of a roof, of course) that set this topless version apart from its hatchback siblings.
The Golf Cabriolet soldiered on until 2002, until it was discontinued when the first of the hard-top coupe-convertibles started to emerge. Sun lovers let out a collective sigh of despair then, although Volkswagen's other drop-tops, like the Beetle Cabriolet and the Eos, managed to placate them in the Golf Cabriolet's absence.
Now though, Volkswagen has brought back its iconic soft top, ready to charm even more kids in the 21st century. But can it recapture the spark that made the Golf Cabriolet nameplate such an icon?
Exterior
Take a walk round the Golf Cabriolet, and you'll see that, although it bears the usual Volkswagen Golf styling cues, there are also significant differences (aside from the obvious lack of a roof, of course) that set this topless version apart from its hatchback siblings.
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For one, the Golf Cabriolet is actually shorter than the hatchback, and its cute and small boot lid is the result of the reduced length. The look stays true to its predecessors' design of having a short and stubby rear end.
One feature that is absent on the new Golf Cabriolet though, is the distinctive rollover hoop, affectionately known as the picnic basket handle, that also formed the B-pillar of the car. But despite that, there is no mistaking this car's heritage as a Golf Cabriolet.
Basket handle or not, the Golf Cabriolet still manages to turn heads. Kids especially seemed to give the car plenty of attention, and much like me all those years ago, a new generation will now be fascinated by the return of the Golf Cabriolet. Seeing children smile at you as you drive past is enough to make anyone's day.
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Interior
For a two-door car, the Golf Cabriolet is quite practical. Four can fit comfortably in the cabin, with the rear seats offering decent space, unlike some other convertibles on the market where legroom is sometimes non-existent.
However, the interior, dressed in sombre black, just doesn't feel special enough for a car designed for fun. If it wasn't for the open air above, one would have thought that this was just another Golf.
But nevertheless, being just another Golf means that the usual Volkswagen high quality abounds. Everything feels solid to the touch, and the controls all fall to hand easily. Ease of use is a hallmark in Volkswagen's interior, and the Golf Cabriolet is no different.
For a two-door car, the Golf Cabriolet is quite practical. Four can fit comfortably in the cabin, with the rear seats offering decent space, unlike some other convertibles on the market where legroom is sometimes non-existent.
However, the interior, dressed in sombre black, just doesn't feel special enough for a car designed for fun. If it wasn't for the open air above, one would have thought that this was just another Golf.
But nevertheless, being just another Golf means that the usual Volkswagen high quality abounds. Everything feels solid to the touch, and the controls all fall to hand easily. Ease of use is a hallmark in Volkswagen's interior, and the Golf Cabriolet is no different.
The boot too is a surprise, offering a more than reasonable 250 litres of capacity, despite the tiny boot lid resulting in a narrow opening. It's not bad enough to be a major problem though, and most soft bags can be accommodated easily. The space is also not affected by the roof when it is folded down, which is another added bonus.
The greatest delight in the new Golf Cabriolet though, is the roof itself. The fabric soft top folds up or down in a mere 9 seconds, which makes it one of the fastest operating systems on the market today. The top can also be called into action at speeds of up to 30km/h, which is really handy in Singapore where the weather can change in the blink of an eye.
The greatest delight in the new Golf Cabriolet though, is the roof itself. The fabric soft top folds up or down in a mere 9 seconds, which makes it one of the fastest operating systems on the market today. The top can also be called into action at speeds of up to 30km/h, which is really handy in Singapore where the weather can change in the blink of an eye.
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The Drive
Locally at least, the Golf Cabriolet is powered by Volkswagen's famed 1.4-litre twin-charged TSI engine, which produces 160bhp and 240Nm of torque. While the extra weight that has gone into strengthening the roofless Golf means that it's no fireball, the engine still provides respectable performance for everyday use.
The Golf Cabriolet is by no means a sports car, despite what impressionable young kids might think, so natural understeer is to be expected for the front-wheel-driven car. But by and large, the Golf Cabriolet actually asserts itself well in the corners, with the steering staying neutral and the car pointing towards the driver's desired line as sharply as it could cope with. It's short dimensions means that the car feels nimble and light on its feet too.
Ride too, is well-controlled, offering a good compromise between comfort and sportiness, although, personally, the suspension felt just a tad too firm for my liking. But at least it doesn't feel wallowy and soft, like the way some other convertibles are set up.
With the roof up, the Golf Cabriolet is amazingly smooth and quiet for a car with a fabric top. Although there is still noticeable noise, as is inevitable, but overall, it feels little different in terms of refinement when compared to a hard-top car
Locally at least, the Golf Cabriolet is powered by Volkswagen's famed 1.4-litre twin-charged TSI engine, which produces 160bhp and 240Nm of torque. While the extra weight that has gone into strengthening the roofless Golf means that it's no fireball, the engine still provides respectable performance for everyday use.
The Golf Cabriolet is by no means a sports car, despite what impressionable young kids might think, so natural understeer is to be expected for the front-wheel-driven car. But by and large, the Golf Cabriolet actually asserts itself well in the corners, with the steering staying neutral and the car pointing towards the driver's desired line as sharply as it could cope with. It's short dimensions means that the car feels nimble and light on its feet too.
Ride too, is well-controlled, offering a good compromise between comfort and sportiness, although, personally, the suspension felt just a tad too firm for my liking. But at least it doesn't feel wallowy and soft, like the way some other convertibles are set up.
With the roof up, the Golf Cabriolet is amazingly smooth and quiet for a car with a fabric top. Although there is still noticeable noise, as is inevitable, but overall, it feels little different in terms of refinement when compared to a hard-top car
At speed with the roof down, the car is remarkably composed, with very little scuttle shake to speak of. That is an amazing achievement, considering that the Golf is not a bespoke convertible to begin with, and goes to show once again the brilliance of German engineering.
Conclusion
From an objective point of view, the Golf Cabriolet most certainly is a well-sorted car. With the usual Volkswagen qualities of being a fine all-rounder, you can't go far wrong with choosing one as an everyday ride.
Looking at it through nostalgic, rose-tinted glasses however, there is just something extra special about this car. That classic shape, re-clothed in a new, modern body, picks up from its forebears in spreading its charm, and leaves an everlasting impression to all who come across it.
You could call me biased, but trust me, if you have kids, drive one of these with the top down with them. They'll probably thank you for it.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Conclusion
From an objective point of view, the Golf Cabriolet most certainly is a well-sorted car. With the usual Volkswagen qualities of being a fine all-rounder, you can't go far wrong with choosing one as an everyday ride.
Looking at it through nostalgic, rose-tinted glasses however, there is just something extra special about this car. That classic shape, re-clothed in a new, modern body, picks up from its forebears in spreading its charm, and leaves an everlasting impression to all who come across it.
You could call me biased, but trust me, if you have kids, drive one of these with the top down with them. They'll probably thank you for it.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
